PUPILS from Selborne Primary School delighted St Mary's Church with a combination of the traditional Nativity story and Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl.

The show involved the whole school. Reception pupils were the animals and danced beautifully, while year one and year two children played rich and poor Victorian children.

Angels and sheep were played by pupils from years three and four, with the lead roles going to year five and year six.

Headteacher Janet Knott said there were "excellent" solo performances from Eleanor Wallis as the Match Girl, Freya Mackenzie as Mary and Louis Hamilton as Joseph.

Mrs Knott added: "The church was full for the performance and the audience were treated to a wonderful show which gives a poignant message at this time of year."